npalen
Elite Member
K5lwq, thanks for posting the link to the Fluid Power Journal article. Distinguish Between the Operation of a Counterbalance Valve and a Pilot-operated Check Valve - Fluid Power Journal. It seems to explain what I just witnessed this week with a friend's 18-month old, good-quality hydraulic top link with DPOCV on his CK3510SE HST. He showed me how it stutters/jerks a bit when he asks for quick full extension with a 500 lb box blade. By contrast, if he actuates it slowly, the operation is very smooth.
I have an identical top link (bought at the same time from the same well-regarded vendor) on my own CK3510SE HST. However, I cannot replicate the stutter/jerk with a slightly lighter box blade.
Both of us have restrictor-orifice fittings installed in both the cylinder-end and rod-end hoses. In fact, we put them at both ends of the cylinder precisely to reduce the risk of disequilibrium in outflow vs. inflow due to weight of the implement during extension.
Not a big deal, perhaps even a mole hill as CB saysbut surely a curiosity.
The problem with trying to maintain equilibrium of in and out flow is that would seem to be creating an air pocket in the base end of the cylinder. It takes more fluid to replenish the base end than what is exiting the rod end during cylinder extension. It would seem that, for this reason, a restrictor in the rod port only would be more effective. Also would seem better to go "full throttle" on the valve when extending the cylinder so that the pump could provide enough inflow to the cylinder base to prevent an air bubble. This seems counter intuitive but feathering the valve might still be letting air into the cylinder base even with the single restrictor.
I'm not advocating going "full throttle" on the valve if there is no restrictor in the rod end port. I don't pretend to have all the answers either, these are just my thoughts.
Edit: It seems that a pilot operated check valve, particularly one restricting outflow at the rod end, would tend to act as a restrictor as well as ensuring that the base end gets replenished fully regardless of actuation speed.